Histopathological evaluation of Wistar rats exposed to particulate matter polluted ambient air of port Harcourt metropolis, rivers state, Nigeria
Abstract:ABSTRACT
Background:
Globally, air pollution constitutes a significant threat to human health affecting various organs of the body.
Objective:
This study evaluated the histopathological changes in respiratory, renal, and cardiac tissues of the Wistar rats exposed to
particulate matter (PM) polluted ambient air (indoor and outdoor).
Methods:
Twenty Wistar rats were imported from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (non-PM polluted environment). Four rats
were immediately sacrificed before the commencement of the study to serve as a control group. The remaining 16
rats were grouped into two (indoor and outdoor) (n=8), then left for 90 days. At the end of the 90 days, the rats were
euthanized using diethyl ether, then the lung, hearts, and kidneys were harvested for histopathological studies.
Results:
Indoor and outdoor PM exposure showed thickening of inter-alveolar septa and shrinking of alveoli sacs in the
lungs. Fused peripherally placed nuclei, branched, weaved, and reunited cardiac myofibril were observed in the
tissues from the indoor and outdoor exposed groups. Occlusion of bowman space was observed in the outdoor PM
exposed group.
Conclusions:
PM exposure in River state was associated with marked distortion of the histo architecture of the lungs, heart, and
kidney among the experimental animals.